Author Archives: Admin

Happy 2014 harvest, everyone. Reports from the field: clean grapes, very few birds, practically no hens & chickens. I’m predicting that the ’14 vintage pinot noirs will be jammy and robust but with fewer tannic spirit than the ’12s, which was a remarkably dry year. I visited some of my friends (and clients) last week […]

I walked through a parking lot on a hot day the other day and saw a child unattended in car. The windows of the car were rolled up but the sunroof was open. The little girl sitting in the car playing on her ipad couldn’t have been more than eight years old. What would you […]

I wrote this up for Jean Yates (who is brilliant, by the way — if you need dynamic social media for your winery — if you want to increase your tasting room sales — you should call her right away) and wanted to share: http://oregon-wine.com/wineries-want-big-fine-use-volunteers/ Because this is what can (will?) happen: http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_26541167/castro-valley-winery-fined-115-000-using-volunteers

Oscar Wilde said, “Charity creates a multitude of sins.” One sin a non-profit or charitable entity can inadvertently partake in? Failing to secure permission from the OLCC to hold a raffle or auction of wine. The good news? That sin can be erased by following a few easy (and free!) steps to be in compliance with […]

I often see bright young people eager to begin their professional careers by agreeing to volunteer in exchange for substantive work experience and a strong line on their resumes. If the organization for whom they are working is a municipality or a non-profit, this isn’t likely to raise my concerns. But when an employer is […]

Have you trademarked your wine label? Registration of your brand name will help you protect the goodwill you have established with your customer. Registering your service brand — the name of your winery and the name of your second labels and blends — gives your business several advantages. It gives you a legal presumption that […]

Two news articles came across my desktop today, both with a chilling message for employers out there. They come with two messages. Here’s the first message: hire an employment lawyer. And the second? I mean it. Hire an employment lawyer. The first article is about a celebrity who had a share of a restaurant in […]

A few weeks ago, we talked about the TTB and its updated social media requirements. Today we’ll finish the discussion. If a winery maintains a blog about itself and discusses its products, events, and whatnot, it too is considered to be advertising under the TTB’s regulations. Blogs, therefore, must likewise contain mandatory statements. Microblogs, on […]

Between June 7 and 24, the OLCC targeted businesses, bars, and wineries throughout the state. As I analyze the data from the various stings, I am pleased with the compliant wineries and warily anticipate more to come in months ahead. I will isolate stings in two areas of the state known for its wine, the […]

Before you jump on twitter or Facebook to talk about your favorite wines, make sure you’re compliant with the TTB’s restrictions on social media. Today’s blog will cover the current climate — what federal law requirements and what the changes are to certain social media. Federal law prohibits advertisements of wine, spirits, and beer from […]